"In this fresh and helpful book, Alyce McKenzie invites novelists and preachers into a richly textured conversation and uncovers habits, perspectives, and tools that have the potential to change the reader's vocation and practice of preaching. This is not just a book of 'hints and helps for preachers.' It is a challenge to rethink preaching as an act of biblically-centered, inspired imagination." John S. McClure, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, Tennessee "McKenzie invites preachers to a writers' conference. Bring your biblical and theological skills and settle in for front porch time with the other conference participants: imagination, attention, character, and plot." Jennifer L. Lord, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary "McKenzie, aware that our culture is hungry for savvy faith but quickly bored by religious chatter, turns to novelists for help in the preaching craft. To our delight, while McKenzie urges preachers to attend to life around us, to exercise our imaginations, and to summon startlingly fresh language, she models before our eyes those very virtues." Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA